On the possibility of neutron spectroscopy of microwave currents in thin superconducting films

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical possibility of using neutron scattering to measure microwave-induced supercurrents in thin superconducting films, providing a potential new spectroscopic method.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for neutron spectroscopy of microwave currents in superconducting films, deriving the scattering cross section and suggesting a new measurement approach.

Findings

Derived the neutron scattering cross section for thin superconducting films

Showed the cross section increases as the microwave frequency decreases

Proposed neutron measurements to directly determine supercurrent frequencies

Abstract

The inelastic magnetic scattering of neutrons from thin superconducting films irradiated with microwave radiations, is analyzed. This process is due to the interaction of the magnetic field generated by the neutron, with the oscillating current induced by the electromagnetic field penetrated into the film. In the Born approximation, the neutron energy can both increase and decrease by the energy quantum of the field. The scattering cross section, which increases with decreasing the field frequency, is derived, and its numerical calculations are carried out. Measurements of this cross section give directly the frequency-dependent supercurrents in the films.